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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)
Contents Vol 61 (Conference Proceedings)

A new engagement approach for regulatory submissions

James Arnott A D , Ben Wilson B and Daniel Kurz C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Energy and Natural Resources (KPMG), Perth, Australia.

B Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), Perth, Australia.

C Infinite Energy (previously with NewGen Power), Perth, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: jamesarnott@kpmg.com.au

The APPEA Journal 61(2) 362-365 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ20143
Accepted: 28 April 2021   Published: 2 July 2021

Abstract

As a business strategy, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) has sought to leverage leading practices associated with stakeholder engagement to underpin the development of its submitted Access Arrangement Plan for 2021–2025 to the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA). The approach focused on developing a plan that would deliver for current and future customers and was capable of being accepted by all customers and stakeholders. The plan involved building an engagement model around six endorsed engagement principles that delivered a ‘no surprises’ outcome. This included active engagement with customers and stakeholders through a series of planned roundtables – commencing 14 months prior to formal submission. The process also included processes, structures and communication channels that supported group and one-on-one engagement and feedback sessions against a tightly managed timeline and the use of an online engagement platform. The extended abstract includes company representatives from AGIG and the stakeholder group (NewGen Power) reflecting on the process, engagement principles, leading practices adopted and lessons learnt through the engagement process.

Keywords: customer engagement, stakeholder consultation, regulatory submissions, no surprises.

James Arnott is a Partner in KPMG’s Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Sector and the Partner-in-Charge of the Management Consulting Team in Perth. James has extensive sector experience, having led and supported large scale systems implementations, business transformations for on-going operations and capital projects and more recently a focus on clients working through the energy transition. His experiences include the implementation of large ERP and Project Control solutions, as well as supporting client efforts associated with business process optimization, strategic cost take-out, shared services, capital project delivery, operational readiness and new operating models. James has worked across the hydrocarbon value chain with independent, national and international/super major oil and gas companies, the utility sector across retail, generation, distribution and transmission, and his mining experiences include mine-site and head-office projects.

Ben Wilson is Chief Executive Officer of Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), which comprises Dampier Bunbury Pipeline, Multinet Gas and Australian Gas Networks. Ben became CEO of AGN in 2015 and of AGIG in 2017. Previously, Ben was the Director of Strategy and Regulation and Chief Financial Officer at UK Power Networks (UKPN), a large electricity distribution company in the United Kingdom. At UKPN, Ben’s responsibilities included negotiating UKPN’s 2015–2023 price control under Ofgem’s RIIO framework and UKPN’s Business Transformation Program. Before joining UKPN in 2011, Ben was a utilities investment banker for 15 years, working in Europe, Asia and Latin America, most recently at Deutsche Bank. Ben is Chair of the Energy Charter, Director and Deputy Chair of Energy Networks Australia, Chair of the ENA Gas Committee and a Member of the Ministerial Advisory Panel for the Technology Investment Roadmap. Ben has a bachelors degree in Natural Science from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

Daniel Kurz is the Chief Operations Officer at Infinite Energy having worked within the electricity industry for over 14 years. His role is to support Infinite Energy in achieving its strategic business goals. Daniel has worked in a variety of senior management roles across the sector gaining comprehensive industry, regulatory, financial and commercial insights and understanding. Daniel has a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Marketing from Edith Cowan University. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand – Admitted in 2009. Daniel has worked within the electricity industry in Western Australia and the United Kingdom for over 14 years.